How do you manage to live a normal life?

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Somehow... I did it! How? I don't know but I have been living on my own since I was 23, been married for 9 years and I have 2 kids and a crazy dog. I guess the dog is no different from his owners

Be better then normal, be abnormal!

It depends. If I can establish a daily rhythm, I can pass as a relatively functional person. The problem is that appearing to be OK to others usually means putting up a facade, and when the pressure of maintaining that becomes too much to handle, I fall apart and completely break down. I'm basically stuck in a continual cycle of having to reboot myself.

Yeah, well. The whole damn thing's a facade, isn't it? NTs who fall apart when someone reacts oddly, people of all neurological persuasions who react like startled snakes when their equilibrium is threatened.

And there's a certain comfort to getting up in the morning and kicking the old treadmill into one more lap. See, I can still do this. Just happens to be a different this from year to year, that's all. One day it'll be over.

Same for me, you said it better than I would ever could have said it as it's how I functioned for years. Widowed and retired now so less need to appear normal as I have limited contacts with the outside world, therefore less need to reboot as often and have a daily routine. Now can enjoy the luxury (or nightmare at times) of just do things when I have no other choice.

Like many other AS's, I tend to put up a 'facade' when I have to go out and be social. Whether it be work, grocery shopping, going to the park, etc.

I do try really hard to be social. I go for walks at the park, I got to art fairs and other social gatherings just to get used to the crowds. I hate being squished in big crowds though and will quickly look for a quieter less populated area of a social gathering. I'm usually the one in the corner by themselves trying to drink out of the same bottle of beer for an hour. Generally I like to go out more in the evening because its not as bright (I'm sensitive to light).

Like some, sometimes I do cope better in social settings with something like alcohol or marijuana. Both tend to put me a bit more at ease and make me a little more social.

I have a high school diploma and some college credits under my belt. Like many Aspies, I dig the Information Technology realm and I do most of my work in that area since working with people is usually minimal, or when I do--they are happy because I am the one fixing the things they break.

Like many on here, I have pretty much had to learn to fend for myself--and sometimes that has meant being the 'guy on the couch', or staying with family in the past.

My relationships have usually ended terribly, and usually have not lasted that long. I have only had two real long-term relationships. One that lasted two years, and another that somehow lasted seven years before she tired of my adherence to routines, what she dubbed 'anti-social' like behavior, OCD issues, etc.

Unfortunately it wasn't till recently that I even learned what Asperger's was. I always just thought I was somehow different than most people; seriously wondering when I was a child if I was a robot like Data from Star Trek--and secretly wishing I could be 'real' like most of the NTs I knew.

Its refreshing in some senses to have answers to some of the questions that have dogged me for so many years--but it brings a whole new set of questions and musings.

Am I normal? Hell no! Not in the least. But I'm me and I'm starting to learn to accept that, for all that its worth.

Acting lessons - learning how to act appropriately in any given situation.

I don't know how normal my life is. I think it's relatively normal. I was very isolated for many years, but around 4 years ago I found a counsellor who did amazing things for me. She forced (aka blackmailed) me into going to the new local Young Mums Group that was opening at the community centre very near my house.
I was the oldest there...somewhat of a novelty for me as I am used to being the youngest (and am the youngest amongst my other friends). Once my daughter started school, I also found a couple of other Mums that thought my 'eccentricities' were hilariously funny.

After my daughter was diagnosed last year with AS, the other Mums with AS kids were a lot more tolerant of my behaviours. As were the integration staff. They suggested I get assessed, and it was then that I learned I had AS (July 2008).

I have a very supportive family...I rent a house off my parents. They are close by and help me to care for my daughter. I do not live with them however. Sometimes I fall behind in rent and have to borrow money to pay bills.

I did my undergraduate degree (BA) via distance education.
This year I am really struggling to get through my Graduate Diploma of Education on-campus. I detest lecture theatres and tutorial classes that always force me to work in groups. The pressure to hide certain behaviours is huge and most days I come home and stim for hours or quite frequently have meltdowns. I am lucky that I can hold off meltdowns until I am safe and alone though.

Next year I am hoping to find work as a teacher, but have also applied to do my Master of Education specialising in Special Education. I want to eventually work in an autism specific school...where my adherence to routine would be a bonus for my students!

I am not married. I would like to be...

I guess I attribute my 'normality' to:
* Good, supportive family that are close by but not living with me
* Supportive school environment for my daughter, and in turn, me
* A couple of university tutors who understand me and who can identify escalating stimming behaviour and calm me down
* I DO NOT talk about my special interest! I talk to myself at home about it, but other people get bored and angry with me if i talk to them non-stop about it. i learned a couple of years ago to just not talk about it to stop myself getting into trouble. It's very hard because I am most comfortable and non-anxious when I'm talking about my interests...but other people don't understand...or care.
* One very good counsellor who didn't know about my diagnosis, but who made me stronger despite it.